Menopause After Cancer

“It can be hard to distinguish between
‘normal’ menopausal symptoms and
symptoms caused by the cancer”.1

Umbrella

What may the Menopause After Cancer Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Cancer Treatments
  • Chemo Brain
  • Menopause
  • Menopause Symptoms

Cancers

What cancers may result in  treatments in menopause?

In What Causes Menopause? Menopause Due To Cancer Treatment the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health (JH) explain:

“Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women; therefore, much of the information and research about cancer and menopause relates to breast cancer. But treatment for other cancers (including childhood cancers, non-hormonal cancers and hormonal cancers) can also result in menopause”.2

Cancer Treatments

Will all cancer treatments cause menopause?

In What Causes Menopause? Menopause Due To Cancer Treatment the JH elaborate on:

Menopause After Cancer“Not all cancer treatments will cause menopause. Depending on the treatment, menopausal symptoms may be temporary or permanent. Other factors may influence permanent menopause, such as your age and the type of chemotherapy undertaken”.3

Menopause Symptoms

With cancer, can it be hard to distinguish what’s-what with menopausal symptoms?

The JH explain:

“It can be hard to distinguish between ‘normal’ menopausal symptoms and symptoms caused by the cancer”.4

Menopause Severe Symptoms

Can menopause symptoms be severe?

According to the JH:

“Menopause can happen because of cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy. These treatments can cause your ovaries to stop working. The sudden change in hormones, particularly oestrogen and testosterone, may lead to more severe symptoms”.5

Chemo Brain

What is chemo brain?

DotS the definition of chemo brain may vary. The (United States) Mayo Clinic’s definition is:

“Chemo brain is a common term used by cancer survivors to describe thinking and memory problems that can occur during and after cancer treatment. Chemo brain can also be called chemo fog, cancer-related cognitive impairment or cognitive dysfunction”.6

In Chemo Brain: Symptoms & Causes – Overview the Mayo Clinic also note:

“Though chemo brain is a widely used term, the causes of concentration and memory problems aren’t well-understood. It’s likely that there are multiple causes”.7

HRT and Breast Cancer Survivors

Is systemic HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) recommended for the treatment of menopause symptoms in those with a history of breast cancer?

On page three in the Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause, first published online 10 June 2022, one of the recommendations is:

  • “A history of breast cancer should be considered a contraindication to systemic HRT. The risk of breast cancer recurrence with HRT is higher in women with oestrogen receptor positive cancer, but women with oestrogen receptor negative breast cancer are also considered to have an increased risk of recurrence with HRT. HRT may, in exceptional cases, be offered to women with breast cancer with severe menopausal symptoms if lifestyle modifications and non-hormonal treatment options are not effective. This should be done after discussion with the woman, her menopause specialist and her breast/oncology team”.8

Health Care Provider

What if I would like help with menopause after cancer?

If you would like help with menopause after cancer, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this. Together you can discuss your options and if required agree on who may be the most appropriate health care provider to help you.

In What Causes Menopause? Menopause Due To Cancer Treatment: Reactions To Menopause After A Cancer Diagnosis the JH explain:

“If you go through menopause and cancer at the same time, it can be very distressing. It is normal to experience a sense of sadness and loss of control.

It’s important to talk to someone if you feel emotional, anxious or depressed. Your doctor can help with symptom relief and refer you to a psychologist if needed”.9

In Menopausal Symptoms and Cancer Treatment: Taking Time for Yourself and Getting Support the (United Kingdom) Cancer Research UK also note:

“It can be hard to come to terms with your diagnosis at the same time as having menopausal symptoms. It might help to talk to family and friends and share how your symptoms are making you feel with your family and friends.

Try to make some time for yourself. Some people practice breathing or relaxation techniques, or mindfulness. And some people find counselling and support groups helpful”.10

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Menopause After Cancer?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Menopause After Cancer?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.

New or Updated

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  10. Bones Breastcancer.org
  11. Build Better Bones.org [International Osteoporosis Foundation]
  12. Cancer Fatigue: Why It Occurs and How To Cope
  13. Cancer Survivors: Managing Your Emotions After Cancer Treatment
  14. Cancer Treatment – Early Menopause
  15. Cancer and Women
  16. Chemo Brain: Diagnosis & Treatment
  17. Chemotherapy: Cancer and Hair Loss
  18. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for Menopausal Symptoms
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  20. Early Menopause Due To Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy
  21. Earlymenopause.org.nz [New Zealand Early Menopause Support Group]
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  24. HRT: Benefits and Risks
  25. Healthy Living After Cancer
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  27. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Vaginal Oestrogen
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  29. Hot Flashes: What Can I Do? [+ Video: What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Menopause?]
  30. Hot Flushes, Night Sweats, Brain Fog? Here’s What We Know About Phytoestrogens for Menopausal Symptoms
  31. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Early and Premature Menopause [Other Languages and Formats]
  32. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Signs and Symptoms of Menopause [+ Video: Talking Menopause With Your GP] [Other Languages and Formats]
  33. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Supporting Someone Through the Menopause [+ Video: Men Don’t Need To Know About Menopause] [Other Languages and Formats]
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  38. Managing Menopause After Cancer
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  40. Mayo Clinic Minute: Help With Hot Flashes Due To Menopause [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  41. Mayo Clinic Minute: How Lifestyle Changes May Help Manage Menopause Symptoms
  42. Mayo Clinic Q&A Podcast: Cancer Survivorship Needs Are Unique for Each Survivor [+ Video]
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  71. Pathtogoodbonehealth.org [Your Path To Good Bone Health, Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation, United States]
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  87. Video Series-2023: NAMS 2023 Nonhormone Therapies Position Statement for Bothersome Menopause Symptoms
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Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. What Causes Menopause? Menopause Due To Cancer Treatment: Menopausal Symptoms Related To Cancer Treatment. Last Updated: 19 January 2024 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/causes-of-menopause#menopause-due-to-cancer-treatment Accessed: 21 June 2024
  2. What Causes Menopause? Menopause Due To Cancer Treatment. Last Updated: 19 January 2024 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/causes-of-menopause#menopause-due-to-cancer-treatment Accessed: 21 June 2024
  3. What Causes Menopause? Menopause Due To Cancer Treatment. Last Updated: 19 January 2024 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/causes-of-menopause#menopause-due-to-cancer-treatment Accessed: 21 June 2024
  4. What Causes Menopause? Menopause Due To Cancer Treatment: Menopausal Symptoms Related To Cancer Treatment. Last Updated: 19 January 2024 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/causes-of-menopause#menopause-due-to-cancer-treatment Accessed: 21 June 2024
  5. What Causes Menopause? Menopause Due To Cancer Treatment. Last Updated: 19 January 2024 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/causes-of-menopause#menopause-due-to-cancer-treatment Accessed: 21 June 2024
  6. Chemo Brain: Symptoms & Causes – Overview. 09 February 2023. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chemo-brain/symptoms-causes/syc-20351060 Accessed: 21 June 2024
  7. Chemo Brain: Symptoms & Causes – Overview. 09 February 2023. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chemo-brain/symptoms-causes/syc-20351060 Accessed: 21 June 2024
  8. Hamoda, H., Mukherjee, A., Morris, E., Baldeweg, S. E., Jayasena, C. N., Briggs, P., Moger, S. Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause. First Published Online 10 June 2022:3-4. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/20533691221104879 Accessed: 21 June 2024
  9. What Causes Menopause? Menopause Due To Cancer Treatment: Reactions To Menopause After A Cancer Diagnosis. Last Updated: 19 January 2024 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/causes-of-menopause#menopause-due-to-cancer-treatment Accessed: 21 June 2024
  10. Menopausal Symptoms and Cancer Treatment: Taking Time for Yourself and Getting Support Last Updated: 13 June 2022. Cancer Research UK https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/coping/physically/sex/women/menopausal-symptoms Accessed: 21 June 2024
Topic Last Updated: 21 June 2024 – Topic Last Reviewed: 21 June 2024

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